iOS 7.1 Will Likely Be The Last Update For The iPhone 4

The iPhone 4’s days could be numbered according to a recent report from Ars Technica. Reportedly iOS 7.1 will be the last major firmware update for the smartphone. This is of course due to the iPhone 4 just not being able to handle all the complex animations of iOS 7. Its A4 processor just doesn’t have enough kick and it is painstakingly obvious when using an iPhone 4 on iOS 7.

iOS 7.0.1 actually improves things by shortening the animation durations, thereby easing some of the burden on the processor. It also smoothed out most of the jerkiness in the UI which was present when opening apps or pulling up the control center window shade.

Launch times of applications were also improved for apps like Safari, Camera and Mail.

With that said there are some things that iOS 7.1 still can’t overcome due to the A4 processor and that is why the following features are absent from the iPhone 4.

3D Flyover or turn-by-turn navigation in Maps

Panorama mode or Live filters in the Camera app (filters can still be applied in the Photos app after the picture has been taken)

AirPlay Mirroring

Siri

AirDrop

Graphical effects such as the translucency effects throughout the OS, live wallpapers, and the parallax effect of the Home screen

Apple rarely moves beyond x.1 versions of its mobile operating system and with iOS 8 on the horizon the iPhone 4 will likely remain planted on iOS 7.1 the rest of its lifespan. Those wanting the ability to run iOS 8 and beyond will need to update to the iPhone 4s or later.